David: John 3:3,6 explains the meaning of john3:3,5 Go one more verse. jesus is not talking about baptisum with ordinary water, he is talking about the water at birth. J. Salza: David, you don't know what Jesus is talking about because you weren't there when John wrote John 3:5,6. The only way … [Read more...]
The “Material Sufficiency” of Scripture
Keith: John, thank you for your incredible website. It demonstrates that the Catholic faith is truly the religion of the Bible. As you support all of Catholic teaching using the Bible, does this mean you believe in the material sufficiency of Scripture? J. Salza: Keith, it depends on what you … [Read more...]
Tim Staple’s view of the historicity of Jonah
Patron: I was on the Catholic Answers Blog the other day and found the following blurb from Tim Staples, a Catholic Answers apologist. As you can see below, he essentially says that the story of Jonah is not historically accurate, even though it teaches certain truths for our salvation. Mr. Staples … [Read more...]
The Bereans “searched the Scriptures”
George: Acts 17:10-11 (King James Version) 10) And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and … [Read more...]
R.C. Sproul and the “fallible” canon
Gino: Hi John. I heard R.C. Sproul say on Christian radio that the canon of Scripture is only “fallible.” He said this to evidently undermine the Catholic Church’s decision in determining the canon. What do you say about this? J. Salza: Gino, Sproul has to argue that the canon of Scripture is … [Read more...]
The Canon of Scripture and the “traditions of men”
Angel: Mr. Salza, your reliance upon tradition to prove Catholic teaching is unbiblical. No where does it say tradition is inspired by God. J. Salza: This statement assumes that "it" (you presumably mean the Bible) has to say something in order for that something to be true. But the Bible does … [Read more...]
How was the Canon of Scripture Determined?
Gene: Hey John, I was wondering, when the Bible was made, how was it determined what books were canonical and what books were not. Are all authentic books in the Bible, or just the ones that were thought to be divinely inspired? And why exactly did the Protestants take seven books out of the … [Read more...]
Points to consider when evaluating sola Scriptura
Valerie: Dear Mr. Salza, I'm so surprised that you responded to my e-mail!!! Thanks, and I look forward to dialoguing with you as well. Sorry for being so, ummmm, direct. My interest in what Catholics believe has been greatly heightened recently for numerous reasons. One is that so many of my … [Read more...]
A quick retort to a defender of sola Scriptura
Eric: John, stop and think for a moment, are Roman Catholics Christians? They are if they have trusted in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins, and had a born again experience. However, if they believe that the are saved by God's grace and their works, then they are not saved -- even if … [Read more...]
Does “it is written” prove sola Scriptura?
Allan: John, When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, in the river of Jordan, and then anointed for His ministry, with "the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him, (Matt. 3:16), then He was led by the spirit into the wilderness, "to be tempted of the devil." (Matt. 4:1). Not … [Read more...]
